Reviving Critical Planning Theory ─ Dealing With Pressure, Neo-Liberalism, and Responsibility in Communicative Planning

Discussing some of the most vexing criticism of communicative planning theory (CPT), this book goes on to suggest how theorists and planners can respond to it. Looking at issues of power, politics and ethics in relation to planning, this book is for both critics and advocates of CPT, with lessons for all.

With severe criticisms being raised against CPT, the need has arisen to systematically think through what responsibilities planning theorists might have for the end-uses of their theoretical work. Offering inventive proposals for amending the shortcomings of this widely adhered planning method, this book reflects on what communicative planning theorists and practitioners can and should do differently.

Introduction: On Critiques and Evolutions of Communicative Planning Theory Part 1: Counteracting Non-Deliberative Stakeholder Pressure 1. Legitimizing Communicative Planning 2. The Logic of Critical Communicative Planning: Transaction Cost Alteration 3. Activist Modes of Planning: A Systematic Overview 4. Activist Communicative Planning: Hybrids of Dialogue and Strategy Part 2: The Neo-Liberal Challenge 5. Neo-liberal Policies in Urban Planning 6. Conflicting Values of Communicative Planning Theory and New Public Management 7. A Strategy for Examining whether Communicative Planning is Serving Neo-liberalism Part 3: Responsibilities 8. Responsibility for End-use of Theory 9. Responsibility for Inclusive Deliberation in Planning: Struggling with Deep Difference 10. Responsible Decisions in Planning Theory, Teaching and Academic Life